Auto radiator hanger clamp



M y 8, 5 H. B. FECHTER 2,552,417 7 I I AUTO RADIATOR HANGER CLAMP Fi led March 18, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l H /7 8 70 m /3 o 1 l f9. 2 flflfckter I INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 8, 195 H. B. FECHTER AUTO RADIATOR HANGER CLAMP 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed March 18, 1948 v izzgFeekzer INVENTOR 4 ATTORNEYS- Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to motor vehicle hanger clamps, designed for use in moving hangers for radiators into close engagement with the radiators so that the hangers may be tapped and shaped to conform to the contour of the radiator supported therein, the clamp being so constructed that the hanger will be held into close engagement with the radiator during the soldering of the hanger to the radiator.

An important object of the invention is to provide a hanger of this character wherein a pair of parallel sliding arms are provided, means being provided for moving the arms with respect to each other, to draw the sides of the radiator hanger towards each other in clamped relation with the radiator.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention a claimed.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is an elevational view illustrating the clamp as moved to a position toclamp and hold a, radiator bracket, into close engagement with the radiator, as it is being soldered thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the clamp.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view illustrating the opposite end of the clamp.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view illustrating the clamp in its open position, prior to the movement of the clamp to cause the bracket to move into engagement with the radiator supported therein.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 5 indicates a radiator of a motor vehicle, and the reference character 6 indicates the usual bracket which is soldered to the radiator and which is provided with flanges I, by means of which the hanger and radiator which is soldered thereto, may be supported in a proper upright position and on the chassis of a motor vehicle.

In the showing of the radiator bracket, ears 8 have been punched from the metal of which the bracket is constructed, at points adjacent to the free ends thereof, which ears or enlargements provide means for connecting the jaws 9 of the clamp, forming the essence of the present invention, to the bracket in order to draw the side members of the bracket into close engagement with the radiator to be supported therein.

The clamp embodies a substantially long arm II] and a shorter arm I I the arm I I being formed with yokes 12 that extend upwardly therefrom, and provide guides for the long arm II], as clearly shown by th drawings.

One end of the arm I0 is curved as at I3 and is formed with the jaw 9 at its free end, while the arm II is curved at I4 and is provided with a jaw 9 at its free end.

Rising from the arm II, are spaced arms l5 that extend an appreciable distance beyond the arm ID, the arm I!) moving between the spaced arms, as shown by the drawings.

Pivotally mounted between the spaced arms l5,

at a point adjacent to the free ends thereof, is r the operating lever l6 which is formed with an extension I! disposed at one end thereof, the extension I! having an eye in which one end of the coiled spring I8 is secured.

The opposite end of the coiled spring I8 is pivotally connected with the arm gripping member l9 at 20. The gripping member I9 is formed with an opening which is rectangular in formation to conform with the sectional contour of the arm [0, the opening being somewhat larger than the arm Ill, so that the gripping member l9 may rock on the arm I0, the opposite edges of the opening biting into the arm to move the arm with the member [9, when the member I9 is moved in one direction.

Pivotally mounted within the arm l9 of gripping member I9, is a curved arm 2! which has pivot pins 22 extending laterally therefrom, the pivot pins being mounted in openings formed in arm IQ of the gripping member l9, so that the gripping member may pivot with respect to the curved arm 2|, the curved arm acting as a bearing for the member I9;

The arm 2! extends into one end of the coiled spring l8, the spring abutting against the annular rib 23 formed on the arm 2| to move the lower end of arm 2| and gripping member 19 to the left, when the lever I6 is swung to the position shown by Fig. 5 of the drawings, with the result that a rocking of the member I 9 takes place as the lever I6 is operated backward and forward.

A lug 24 is provided on the arm l0 and acts as a stop, restricting movement of the gripping member IS in one direction.

In the use of the clamp, the arms In and II are extended to positions as shown by Fig. 5 of the drawings, where the jaws thereof are fitted under the ears 8 which have been punched from the radiator bracket.

The lever is now moved forwardly or towards the arm 19', which places the spring 18 under ,tension, drawing the member 19 into gripping relation with the arm 10, whereupon further movement of the lever towards the arm 19, moves the arms l3 and I4 into clamping relation with the radiator hanger.

After the clamp has been moved to bring the bracket into close engagement with the radiator, the bracket may be tapped with a hammer or other suitable tool, the spring [8 drawing the hanger inwardly, causing the hanger to conform to the shape of the radiator where it can be soldered to permanently secure the radiator within the bracket.

It will of course be understood that after the clamp has been properly moved to cause the hanger to clamp the radiator, the lever is moved forwardly to the position as shown by Fig. 1, where the lever locks the arms of the clamp against outward movement.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A radiator hanger clamp, comprising a pair of connected arms slidable longitudinally with respect to each other, jaws on the outer ends of the arms, a lever mounted on one arm, an arm gripping member slidably mounted on the other arm, a coiled spring connected between the lever and arm gripping member, normally tilting said arm gripping member laterally into gripping relation with the arm on which it is mounted, upon movement of said lever in one direction, a curved arm connected with the arm gripping member, extending into one end of the spring, an annular rib on the curved arm providing a stop against which said spring moves urging the arm clamping member to release position upon movement of the lever in the 0pposite direction.

2. A radiator hanger clamp comprising a pair of connecting arms slidable longitudinally with respect to each other, jaws formed on the outer ends of said arms, an operating lever pivotally mounted on one of said arms, an arm gripping member mounted for rocking and sliding movement on the other arm, a coiled spring connected with the lever and arm gripping member at the upper end of the arm gripping member urging said arm gripping member in one direction gripping the arm on which said arm gripping member is mounted, a curved arm pivotally connected with the arm gripping member extending into one end of the coiled spring, and an annular rib on said curved arm against which one end --ofsaid spring engages adapted to move said curved arm and arm gripping member, releasing the arm on which said arm gripping member is mounted moving the clamp gripping the radiator hanger on which the clamp is positioned.

HARRY B. FECHTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

